No. PBY recon with the untrained pilots I have (in Recon Skill, that is) tends to be pretty slow to produce results and is very limited in effectiveness. The recon with trained pilots in the LB30s has been a resounding and consistent failure.

As more stuff is coming on line I will switch over to trying recon on all large targets in range, but this one is just a little in the dark. Intel seems pretty clear. More importantly, with the amount pretty good naval search coverage that I've had in place for a long time I think it a low likelihood that he has been sneaking in much if anything. He just might be happiest if he gets a favorable naval battle while my land forces invade an empty island.

The target is pretty obvious, and the chances that I could have fooled him into looking elsewhere pretty small. But still I want to keep enough uncertainty that he has to at least be looking at his flanks. Even a one-turn delay in reaction could mean a critical turn with land-based fighters/dive bombers present to aid the Allied navies. Doing the recon on Tanna is a big enough chance, I think.

This is all about as subjective as can be, so how likely that I am right in any of these assessments, let alone all of them?!

I'm hip. Even the well trained non recon PBYs I used in my first PBEM categorically under estimated island strength. I was able to garner pretty good port and airfield info though. Let the hammer fall!

I'm hip. Even the well trained non recon PBYs I used in my first PBEM categorically under estimated island strength. I was able to garner pretty good port and airfield info though. Let the hammer fall!

Now it looks as though the war will resume Monday-ish. Psychological warfare for sure!

Two subs scored, USN Saury against a xAK near Damar in the Banda Sea, and I-32 against an xAKL heading for Diego Garcia. The air raids in China were 'normal', and multiple raids by B-17s and B-24s against the port at Milne bay was quite successful. Hopefully DAW HQ will have to divert assets to keep resupplying that place with the stores destroyed by Allied bombs.

One of the APD amphib groups ran over a sub. No losses but a discovery of course. They are also snooped by aircraft. APDs are likewise seen near Nanumea and near the Ellice Islands. As far as I can tell, the main invasion fleet is undetected.

The same can not be said for a force of IJN carriers, now seen 120nm NE of Luganville, just east of the Torres Islands. Their position is at least somewhat favorable to us, as there are many dive bombers and fighters on Suva. They might merely be trying to avoid the heavy sub patrols to their west, but if they are really looking toward the activity to their east then they could wind out out of position on the crucial turn, with the need to pass through Fiji's radius of attack.

The invasion forces require two days to make their objectives, and tomorrow rain is forecast all over the region. The fleet will move to positions about 40nm away from Noumea and Koumac, with intent of dashing in at full speed the following morning. The APDs bound for Tanna and Anatom will make full speed beginning tonight, intending to land troops tomorrow. The recon of Tanna failed due to weather, which also helped to hide some of our forces. Northern Cover and WatchtTower were not seen, but are clearly well inside the danger zone.

An 'almost' big day. The weather was the dominant factor. Guns and torpedoes came in second. China continued apace. India/Burma saw units continuing to move to battle sites. The B-24s and B-17s along the NE Australia coast made shipping raids on merchants at Port Moresby and achieved some hits. The purpose for their naval attack orders was to harry any warships within range, but there were none. Two B-24s were lost in the effort.

Marblehead is gone, Detroit is limping, Trenton and Concord (and DD Lang) need some TLC from repair crews. An IJN DD was sunk and the bombardment of Nanumea missed the island entirely. Northern Cover was sighted and attacked.

CAP engaged: VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers

CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes

2 x Wilcats were lost. Several SBDs on search were lost to CAP, although at least 2 search SBDs reported hits against merchants at Koumac.

You can see for yourself just how utterly anc completely the whole of DAW HQ was fooled by our manuevering. The convoys and min sweeperes will head for Lord Howe Island while the carriers both cover them and off battle under an umbrulla of land based search coverage. Hopefully those were their best Val and Zero pilots that were taken down.

* Note that on the included screen picture the TF shown at Koumac is Allied. It has mistakenly taken on the color of the IJN. Perhaps this will yield a tactical advantage?

Witpgs, I am sure you know the dangers here. If that is KB 5 hexes north on Noumea, you're in a very dangerous position as he knows where you're going and New Caledonia keeps you from engaging his CVs on favorable terms. He will set up 7 hexes away and pound you with no chance of interference (other than CAP) from the US CVs. It is doubtful that any IJN commander with his experience will allow the US CVs to do what they must do in this fight....close the enemy and engage him within 4 hexes.

Are you considering pulling back the main body until the Allied CVs can round the island and operate closer to the KB...if you wish to engage at all.

It was a good plan, but I think his spider senses figured out where things were headed. The KB is well positioined.

Witpgs, I am sure you know the dangers here. If that is KB 5 hexes north on Noumea, you're in a very dangerous position as he knows where you're going and New Caledonia keeps you from engaging his CVs on favorable terms. He will set up 7 hexes away and pound you with no chance of interference (other than CAP) from the US CVs. It is doubtful that any IJN commander with his experience will allow the US CVs to do what they must do in this fight....close the enemy and engage him within 4 hexes.

Are you considering pulling back the main body until the Allied CVs can round the island and operate closer to the KB...if you wish to engage at all.

It was a good plan, but I think his spider senses figured out where things were headed. The KB is well positioined.

Yup. The convoys are pulling back, the carriers and battleships are pulling back to a covering position where the KB would have to round New Caledonia to make range to them. After the seaborne troops are away from the scene we will see how best to crack that nut. Northern Cover, Adm Pye with 3 x CA plus about 5 x DD is on the way back to Suva and will then be available to strike from that flank. Several Allied CL forces can hit from the opposite side. Then there are the carriers and battleships that would engage head on.

First priority is to get the troops and that large mass of very valuable APs/AKs out of range. The main battle group is pulling back far enough that from anywhere on the other side of New Caledonia the KB will not reach them. I figure there is also the possibility that the KB will move halfway around NC in one direction or the other to counter a suspected move by the USN carriers to close the range. And then there are the Imperial battleships...

Still waiting on the turn. I figure it's getting a lot of detailed attention!

The KB and battleship forces seen NE New Caledonia withdrew to positions east of the New Hebrides. USA B-17Ds from Fiji made numerous attacks on the battleships, but came out much the worse. 6 x B-17 were lost, 5 to air action and 1 to flak.

Chicago and Quincy are both still afloat but attempting to escape. Adm Pye now commands 3 x DD heading for Suva.

As you can see, if we had landed the troops they would all be ashore in good order now. the troop convoys will continue retiring toward Lord Howe Island to be clear of the coming battle area, and stand by for landing operations afterward.

Yes, as it played out, you would have successfully landed at least the initial wave. However, had he moved his CVs as expected, you would have lost a great deal of the offensive power you currently have (as limited as it is). The risks of continuing to New Caledonia were too high. You made the right move.

He may wander off to replenish now since he has flown a number of missions and burned much fuel. You could leave your main attack at sea approximately where they are and move to New Caledonia in the event KB departs. If you are desirous of a CV battle, he might oblige you by moving one of the CV groups away to replenish. I sure advise against trying to engage both IJN CV groups.

I have felt for sometime that Admiral Wa was using New Caledonia as bait to draw your fleet and CVs into a decisive battle. That failed this time. I am not even sure he realizes what you have west of Noumea. I suspect he is unaware of the big invasion fleet. I base that on his most recent move toward the Tanna/Fiji area. Perhaps I am wrong, but I doubt that New Caledonia is heavily garrisoned and fortified.

I say little about Admiral Wa's intentions in this AAR as He is a close friend and former opponent in th eearlier versions of this game. However, since I have neither communicated with him for sometime nor read any of his AAR (as infrequently as that is updated), I am unencumbered currently. Given that, I woud not give up the attempt on New Caledonia yet. He may n Fiji rather than lioter around New Caledonia now....and that will give you the break you need and deserve.

Finally a tactical thought. Why are you still flying B-17Ds? They are vulnerable to Zeros and even Oscars while the E model will be nearly invulnerable to 1st generation IJ fighters (in fact, they will shootdown as many of those fighters as they lose). By now you should have enough E models to fill all Squadrons with them. Also, unless you have a house rule preventing it, those B-17s cannot hit much anything smaller than a large airfield from 12K feet. Drop them much lowe. Try 8K, then 6K feet and see if you can hit something.....it's still not going to be likely and will be a 500# bomb. Much better to use them in a land mode somewhere. I often send them to Burma and Java early and then on to Oz or India after those places are overrun.

Good comments. Some things are not clear just from the AAR. Previous turn when his carriers were across New Caledonia from mine and made a val attack, he scouted the entire invasion fleet. Everything at or near max detection level. This turn, the attack on Northern Cover came from what I labeled as sKB, although I can't really be sure it isn't more substantial. So as far as I can tell, the large KB only used sorties for a dozen Vals. It's possible that sorties were deducted for more attack planes that launched and never found opposing forces, but I have no data.

I figured New Caledonia was mostly bait but it's also far enough out to start up with. Clearly he is bringing in the additional carrier group so as to have advantage. I must be very careful there.

I'm using the B-17Ds simply to use them up and because of their range. I'm trying to save as many B-17E/F models as I can for Burma. There they are facing tougher land based fighters. I know that the devious one will husband good pilots and build loads of first rate aircraft. I figure the B-17D is reasonably fit for battle. I'm staying at 10,000 feet with them for now because the flak down lower on those hard-target warships will be murder. Against soft(er) targets I have no problem going lower.

On New Caledonia itself Intel only indicates two Bde/Rgt sized units, one at Noumea and one at Koumac. That could be wrong of course, especially as he had ships at Koumac recently. My judgement is that he will not pile on too many forces at Noumea. BTW, I'm fairly sure that I can land all troops at both bases in one day. That's a full day, so if day one is a partial then it would roll into day two.

At sea I also have lots of follow on forces to go onto New Caledonia, but I have to seize it first. The early follow on forces are with the second wave, which is a Bde and two armored units that will run up to Koumac.

As far as - you wrote 'n', did you mean 'nuke'? - the KB & sKB nuking Fiji, they could succeed but there are enough fighters there to make it costly. And dive bombers with trained crews that could get lucky. I think the odds would be with me from a risk/reward standpoint. My dream scenario would be a Japanese invasion of Fiji at this time. No way that Wa will do that but if he did it would hurt much.

A battleship TF is past the Line Islands and making for the general area. They are slow but will be available if their use is appropriate. There are 2 x CVE (including Long Island) with the second wave and follow on forces. Long Island has fighters on CAP while the other has an army squadron that can fly right into Noumea. There are 3 more CVE nearing Hawaii, all with replenishment groups. Those will unload and USMC groups will embark.

It was a wild day in the air over Burma, as the Allied air forces made a large appearance to aid a ground assault. That came off just so-so. The 23rd Indian Bde is hors de combat and moving back for rest.

CAP engaged: Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes

A total of 5 of the B-17Ds were lost. They are now standing down. Those squadrons will also reorganize, with one of them taking the remaining D models while the others advance to B-24s. B-24s from Australia hit Milne Bay hard. The IJN forces are choosing to stay north of Fiji, perhaps to tempt an Allied strike without fighter escort.

Weather in the area is forecast as clear but then again today was too. Here is a look at the situation. The KB and sKB have linked up. Together with the battleships I expect them to form a tripod and start walking across the landscape firing heat-rays.

Adm Pye (at Suva) will take his DDs to a point where he can make a high-speed bombardment run on Efate. I'm not so much thinking that many search planes will be destroyed (presuming they are based there), but I hope to catch a support ship.

News reports indicate that the KB was off New Caledonia to escort that convoy seen (or partially seen) at Koumac. They were surprised as hell to see a massive Allied fleet materialize across from them. I guess I did achieve surprise!

News reports indicate that the KB was off New Caledonia to escort that convoy seen (or partially seen) at Koumac. They were surprised as hell to see a massive Allied fleet materialize across from them. I guess I did achieve surprise!

Amazing what you can do with a little red paint!

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No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

It's funny that you should say that. Those CLs that I sent to raid the TF spotted at Koumac showed up red in my subsequent orders phase. I could still talk to them and they looked normal the next turn. During the combat resolution/replay Wa said they did not attack at all. I saw them tangle with the convoy escorts. Report and save game was sent to Michael.

Formerly plentiful supplies (in the high hundreds, plentiful for the small unit) on the island were wiped out. The carriers and invasion convoys are moving back toward New Caledonia and a rendezvous of its west coast. Adm Pye's DDs will hit Efate tonight, but no ship was scouted at anchor today.

Only an sKB showed up in search results today, although certainly they are not alone so close to Fiji. The forecast 'clear' weather was once again largely stormy.

Hope November brings better tidings and the retaking of New Caledonia. Nice island base from which to spring northward.

Any ASW A/C patrolling out of Karachi? Any KV/DDs nearby? Might be a good place to nail those pests. Even significant damage nearly ensures the demise of the hapless sub. It's a long haul to a repair yard for a damaged IJN sub and you can generally count on some IJN damage control "expert" dropping a wrench (spanner?) into the engine gears.

Hope November brings better tidings and the retaking of New Caledonia. Nice island base from which to spring northward.

Any ASW A/C patrolling out of Karachi? Any KV/DDs nearby? Might be a good place to nail those pests. Even significant damage nearly ensures the demise of the hapless sub. It's a long haul to a repair yard for a damaged IJN sub and you can generally count on some IJN damage control "expert" dropping a wrench (spanner?) into the engine gears.

Yes, two groups of the little search type planes are there, forget which model. Maybe need to beef that up some. A Catalina group just arrived but they have to train up first. I have three surface ASW groups operating there, each made up of 4 x MLs upgraded to either 6 or 8 ASW weapons each. They're the ones that pounded I-11 last turn, so they're doing a decent job. In fact except for the odd sinking it's only recently when DAW sent in a batch of subs at once to saturate the defenses that the sharks have had much success there.

As usual, lots of uncontested air raids in China. One of the advanced northern defense units, making its way toward Yenan, disbanded under continued air attacks. It was barely a remnant anyway. No more action around Karachi, but they know where the food is so they will be back. A mine field has been cleared at Cox's Bazar. BTW, I've found that now, even after the monsoon is over (October 15th?) supply movement into Cox's Bazar is definitely better but still really awful. So, an xAKL just made a supply run and will do so continuously.

The KB is seen again, 19 hexes about NE of Noumea, and 5 hexes to that KB's ENE is the sKB. The battleships are not sighted by might be replenishing. A SigInt target is picked up west of New Britain. It might be unrelated or it could be a western carrier farce coming to join the party. For reference they are 33 hexes from Noumea.

Anatom is commencing operations as a search base. No. 11 RAAF Sqn, ex-Raoul Island, will search NW into the former gap that was out of range of assets on Fiji. This is a fairly likely vector for Imperial carriers to approach from should they raid the invasion. Naval search in that area will also give our subs a better chance.

The Allied battle fleet and invasion forces are partly scouted, both by submarine-based aircraft and by an ASW attack as they move to take up stations prior to moving in for the invasion. Efate was bombarded but nobody was home. Adm Pye's DDs will refuel near Norfolk Island and then turn to ASW duties for the invasion forces, which are facing numerous IJN subs. If a larger battle is in the offing then Northern Cover might reconstitute with the addition of some CA from the carrier TFs.

Coast watchers report 1 ship at Koumac, so Trenchard's Torpedoes will make another visit. Three New Mexico class battleships with destroyers have just refueled far SE of the Tonga Islands and will now move NW to be in position to speed into action as opportunity presents. Commanded by Adm Short they are designated Short's Long Guns. If there is a general melee they could provide added weight by surprise.

With but one exception all of today's combat consisted of Imperial air raids in China. That exception was an ASW attack on an IJN sub near Norfolk Island by an oiler's escort. The refueling point will be moved.

The Imperial carriers are no longer seen. They should be far enough away that attacking the beachheads at Noumea tomorrow would be difficult or impossible. Our subs in the relevant area are not overflown by aircraft and there is no other sign of carriers close by. The troops go in tomorrow!

Tanna will begin operating as a search base tomorrow, doubling up coverage in the critical corridor. Here is some Intel on the whereabouts and course of the Imperial battleships.

Hurray!! His sneaky attempt to trap your fleet in a one sided battle appears to have failed. Now, there remains the submarine menace, but it is, by comparison, minor and all that stands between you and a victory on New Caledonia. Nicely done!

Hurray!! His sneaky attempt to trap your fleet in a one sided battle appears to have failed. Now, there remains the submarine menace, but it is, by comparison, minor and all that stands between you and a victory on New Caledonia. Nicely done!

Well... almost nicely done. I got sloppy the last two turns. First I left the mine sweepers too far away. Then I neglected to give orders to Southern Cover to move in with the troops. From what I can see the latter miscue won't have any effect. I do hope the Empire hasn't left a bunch of mines at Noumea, as that group only has one mine sweeper. The mine sweeping TF should be there in two days. Doh!

Didn't mention; another attack near Akyab tomorrow. Saw today that at least one Imperial unit is moving toward Akyab. Either that weakens the defenses some or the whole force is moving and even more ripe for attack. Let's see how that goes!

The real thing is, if New Caledonia comes off quickly without undue complications, I want to see if I can scoop up the division prepped for it and hit Efate before the IJN is back in town. Recon so far is showing only a couple of thousand troops there.

Well, of course, one doesn't know until one recons a place in earnest, but my guess is that Efate and Loganville will not have very strong garrisons. It is likely they are just for delay. If either has a significant garrison, my bet would naturally be at Loganville. Maybe a CV raid and recon on Loganville after the New Caledonia invasion is over would be wise.

Does the Noumea hex show any mines? If not, I'd carry on, but if it does I might await those ACMs or DMS before commiting substantial fleet elements to that hex. Remember too that DDs can sweep mines. You might lose a couple of DDs doing it, but they will destroy some or all the mines, open a swept channel and prevent havoc among the APs.

Does Noumea have a CD unit there that you have scouted out? That could be even more troublesomes to the APs than mines.

4th/A Division - later than at Efate. II/66th Naval Guard Unit - but this unit shows up at Shortlands later on.

So it looks like a regiment (4th/A Division) at Luganville (plus any late arrivals) and an unidentified smaller unit at Efate.

The tentative plan is to embark both divisions, each convoy to also have AKs loaded just with supply so a crap load gets ashore. The fleet covers the Efate invasion on the way by with the Luganville invasion. Short's Long Guns will provide gunfire support to the Luganville invasion. There will be a mine sweeper TF in attendance. The Luganville invasion will be strictly depending on circumstances. If there is no substantial sea-borne opposition it will go in. The Efate invasion convoy should already be unloaded and heading back to safer waters if opposition then shows up at Luganville.

It is hoped that hitting two targets at once so soon after the New Caledonia op will catch the IJN out of place. I know where one large group of battleships and cruisers is heading so I would like to get this in before they get back.

You sound really confident of the accuracy of that sighting. I have often had recon report CAs and BBs which later turn out to be CVs and escorts. No problem if they keep moving away but a different issue if they can sprint back and have carriers striking at 8 hex range!

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No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

That's always a possiblity, BBfanboy, but that is also a lot of "ifs". At some point one has to say, damn the torpedos, full speed ahead, Naturally, one does not issue such bravado without having scouted/reconned as best as one can (AND brought the ACMs/DMS along!), but under the circumstances it appears a good plan to go for not only Noumea, but also Efate and MAYBE, Espiritu Santo/Loganville as well.

The garrisons looks prefunctory, the enemy CVs and major surface forces appear to be moving away or refueling (not in the immediate vicinity) and the troops are properly prepped. I'd cast my lot on making the plan a go. Of course, if the CVs threaten or if even large surface forces appear in the vicinty, a tactical "hold" or even withdrawal might be in order.

That BB/CA sighting was by a sub in action against the TF, so it's pretty solid as to ship types. It also is in position consistent with the surface group heading back to Truk. It might be a different one, and it might be heading in a different direction (FOW). Either way, the Tanna and Anatom search bases are helping with that. Assets will be ready so that Efate can begin searching the day after it is taken. I've got a whole bunch of subs covering the approaches, and with aerial search coverage they have better chances to draw blood.

I do plan to call it off if opposition is too stiff. It would be nice to have the situation changed so much before beginning to rotate the carriers and fast battleships back for their October '42 refits. That one adds a ton of anti-air power. Then again, I have troops fully prepped for the lower Solomons...

Not saying it shouldn't be tried, Princep01 - just trying to get a handle on whether witpqs considered the possibility of CVs within a day's sprint. Sounds like he has done his usual due diligence with search, patrol, and picket assets. Looking forward to seeing the dominoes fall - and the IJN reaction.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

Carnage in the skies over Burma. We lost 21 x Blenheim IV, 5 x P-39D, 5 x Wellington Ic, and 1 x P-40K. Most of the 2EB went in without escort due to the vagaries of weather and coordination from multiple bases. The P-40K sweep did go in, some 2EB were escorted (mostly those unopposed!), and the 2EB without escort fought like hell. 17 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo were taken. P-38 sweeps over Milne Bay took from 2 to 4 x Zeros. More Zeros were taken over Burma in the maelstrom, bringing the total to 14 x A6M2 Zero.

The result was a contribution to a decent ground attack outside Akyab.

Some 4EBs will bomb to keep them moving slower. The troops and the bulk of the bombers will rest one day then attack again.

Adm Pye with ad-hoc assignment for temporary ASW duties did not arrive on scene in time. Saratoga took two torpedoes and stands at 37-21(8)-13(9). Flight operations are shut down but might be restored. So she will be first to rotate out for October refit. Ironically, Lead, with Saratoga and Lexington, has the most ASW protection. I should have chosen a TF name like "Sub Smiter". There were several sub encounters in the invasion zone, most being without result.

At La Foa there are more troops to unload as I think only one phase was available for unloading. At Noumea all the troops were unloaded, with plenty of supply, and only additional supply remains to unload. The 8th NZ Bde will take La Foa tomorrow. The Guards Mixed Brigade defended the beaches of Noumea with 20 guns, but all Allied units are ashore in good order and ready for combat. Tomorrow the 3rd Marine Division and the 1st USMC Tank Battalion will attack. The 3rd Pioneer Bn and the 2nd Amphibious Tractor Engr Bn are also present but their job is on the beaches. 3rd NZ HQ is in command, backed up by South Pacific HQ at Nadi.

The troop convoy at Noumea will head for Fiji as soon as all supplies are offloaded. Second wave convoys are heading for Noumea now but will not offload until the base is taken.

SigInt has picked up CL Katori just north of the mid-Solomons. CA Quincy is entering the ship yard at Auckland. APDs will pick up the paras at Anatom and bring to the Belep Islands, just north of Koumac, to seize the next forward search base. here is a look at the extent of search in the critical area so far.

KB is 4 hexes WNW of Luganville, right in a spot where the search planes out of Anatom and Tanna overfly them. The convoy at La Foa is still unloading Support and Motorized Support squads, but will pull up stakes and head SW. One ship, little xAP Dilga of 3,700 tons is badly damaged and can only make 2 knots. It seems that the day before "xAP Dilga hits underwater rocks while attempting to unload at La Foa". She has detached and will attempt to unload that last squad and hide in place. All the rest of the TFs are also moving SW. The large assault convoy at Noumea will simply call it quits on unloading supplies (by far most were unloaded) and take a very circuitous route to Fiji.

On land the 8th NZ Bde took possession of La Foa. The 3rd Marine Div and 1st USMC Tank Bn outclassed the defense at Noumea, and might capture that base on the next attack.